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It has been way too long since the last Footiebusiness stadium update post, but with two new/renovated parks set to open in the coming weeks, here is a quick look at three stadium projects around the league. We’ll start in Houston, where the Dynamo’s new home is called BBVA Compass Stadium. The 22,000 seat stadium will host its first Dynamo match on May 12, 2012. The stadium will be shared with Texas Southern Football and other local events. Total cost of the projected stadium is expected to be about $95 million with the Dynamo ownership (primarily AEG and Golden Boy Promotions) funding about $60 million.

The stadium includes 33 suites in close proximity to the field and 2 party suites. Construction is moving along nicely. Those standing on the grass field will have the opportunity to look at 75 foot canopies hanging over the stands. The downtown stadium is part of a stadium district that includes facilities for a number of Houston’s sports teams. The team just finished hosting a job fair for positions at the new park. Corporate partners at the stadium include, Bud, Mambo Seafood, Dr. Pepper/Snapple, AT&T, Mazda, Kroger, greenstar, Statoil and Methodist Hospital System. A link to the stadium construction webcam is here.

Finally, in San Jose, things have been reasonably quiet since last February. At that time, a vote by the San Jose Planning Commission upheld earlier action by the same board in December. However, concerns raised by a neighbor to the project had required additional action. The team is aggressively targeting next Summer to open the new venue. A rendering of the proposed stadium is here.

In Montreal, Saputo Stadium is continuing to move towards completion. The stadium is expanding to just over 20,000 seats and the roof will now hang over the upper rows of each grandstand. As a result, about one third of seats will be covered. There will be more than double the number of suites and 5x the number of concesssions. The stadium is accessible by two suway stops and includes a synthetic surface training field next door. For photos and a virtual venue, click here.

It’s really interesting to see how much money they put into these new stadiums for the MLS. I really hope that this continues throughout the country and that the league can expand to other cities that desperately need a professional team! Great work Ben!